Audio Interfaces
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About Audio Interfaces
Audio Interfaces are an essential part of your computer based recording setup. These interfaces allow you to have full control over the input levels of what you are recording. They offer high quality outputs to your speakers and headphones as well as ASIO (Audio Stream Input/Output) driver support to minimise latency and lag. Other features present on Audio Interfaces may be MIDI, used to control hardware synthesizers and devices or control your software with said hardware, and ADAT/SPDIF and Optical connections, which allow you to expand the number of inputs present on the interface. Even USB inputs may be present, which effectively turn your audio interface into a USB hub.
Frequently Asked Questions about Audio Interfaces
It is definitely going to help! That delay or lag is what we refer to as 'latency' and is caused by your computer's onboard sound card not being designed for instant playback of high quality sounds. It needs time to process the sound before you hear it, which causes the latency. Virtually all professional Audio Interfaces use what is called an ASIO driver. This handles the playback processing, and reduces the latency down to where it's no longer noticeable.
As long as your version of the software supports multi-track recording, and your computer is compatible with the audio interface you're looking at, that interface will be compatible with your software.
With the correct adapter/dongle, those little USB-C sized connections will work with most USB and Thunderbolt interfaces. However, if you're looking for optimum performance without the need for a dongle, then the Universal Audio Arrow is our go-to interface.
Most audio interfaces are supplied with a lite version of a popular DAW. Ableton Live Lite is often offered as a download with many interfaces including the Roland RUBIX22 and the Focusrite Scarlett 6i6. Presonus interfaces offer a lite version of their fantastic Studio One software.
Specialist manufacturers such as Universal Audio, RME and Apogee tend to not include a DAW package, simply because if you're purchasing one of those interfaces, you most likely already own a DAW package.